While Scott Robertson blooded a host of rookies, selection conservatism largely dogged his two-year tenure.
Fehi Fineanganofo celebrates scoring for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby final. Photo / Photosport
Other than Wallace Sititi and, latterly, Peter Lakai, there was never a sense he had total faith in the new brigade. Promoting fresh talent always appeared to be a depth-building exercise.
When a fine-line decision emerged, Robertson inevitably favoured the more experienced option.
Rennie is unlikely to be so stringently tied to previous deeds. He’s pledged to select on form and could, therefore, reward three players with debuts against France.
Fineanganofo is the first.
Rennie bucked the trend by selecting Fineanganofo in his first All Blacks squad despite his commitment to join Newcastle on a two-year deal at the end of this year.
Fineanganofo is attempting to negotiate a way out of that contract to remain in New Zealand but in the meantime, the All Blacks must assess his ability to transfer his hot Super Rugby form to the test arena.
With a lethal blend of strength, speed and footwork, Fineanganofo was the best finisher in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
By the end of the Hurricanes’ championship-winning surge, Moorby joined him in breaking the single season try-scoring record but for pure ability to beat a man and maximise space to finish, Fineanganofo set the bar.
With his future uncertain at this stage there’s surely no point in waiting to inject Fineanganofo onto the right wing.
The presence of Bordeaux halves pairing Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu, alongside experienced wing Damian Penaud and highly talented 21-year-old Theo Attissogbe, will ensure France challenges the All Blacks in the air and defensively through their ball movement.
Theo Attissogbe impressed for France against the All Blacks last year. Photo / Photosport
The French, though, are nowhere near full strength. The tourists are missing nine Top 14 finalists which should allow Rennie the confidence to be brave and bold with some selections.
The time is now to find out whether Fineanganofo has the skill to address the All Blacks’ consistent vulnerabilities under the high ball that plagued their lack of counterattack in recent years.
Pairing Fineanganofo with Caleb Clarke, the All Blacks’ best aerial exponent in the back three, would give Rennie two power wings with Will Jordan to chime in from the backfield.
Segner is the next prospect pushing for immediate inclusion.
Breaking into the All Blacks loose forwards is a notable feat; cracking the starting trio harder still.
Anton Segner impressed for the Blues in their failed Super Rugby campaign. Photo / Photosport
Segner, though, is pushing his presence after a standout Super Rugby campaign that promoted him past Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi.
Rennie’s All Blacks coaching team have spoken glowingly of Segner’s contributions – from his post contact numbers to his speed off the ground as a lineout target.
Segner’s work-rate appeals to Rennie’s demands for repeat efforts and he is a genuine option at six and seven.
A loose forward mix comprising Ardie Savea, Sititi, Lakai and Segner would not surprise, although Simon Parker’s abrasive defensive presence and height at the lineout presents an alternative option.
Hurricanes loosehead prop Numia fully deserves his first test of test rugby, too.
Numia is the quintessential mobile, modern day prop the All Blacks are keen to embrace. The 27-year-old has been in the All Blacks frame for two years but an untimely calf injury and the need to improve his scrummaging held him back – until now.
With Tamaiti Williams sidelined, Ethan de Groot remains the All Blacks first-choice loosehead prop and a superior scrummager. But Numia off the bench would inject a dynamic ball-carrying, offloading prospect that perfectly fits the mould to lift the tempo and play at speed.
Numia could be joined in the impact bracket by Asafo Aumua, who is in line for this first test in two years, and Pasilio Tosi to potentially form an all-Hurricanes front row off the bench.
That trio are powerful, mobile ball carriers that could cause havoc when fatigue sets in under the Te Kaha Stadium roof.
The other big talking point is who starts in the coveted No 10 jersey.
The question here with Ruben Love is if not now then, when?
Love wasn’t pressured in the demands test rugby imposes as the Hurricanes breezed to the Super Rugby title with three straight playoff blowouts. But with expression and freedom at his core, he projects the attacking qualities the All Blacks must harness.
The All Blacks largely know what they will get from Beauden Barrett or Damian McKenzie running the cutter.
With Richie Mo’unga lurking, awaiting his eligibility boarding pass to be stamped by playing provincial rugby before returning to the All Blacks, Love needs to be handed a genuine opportunity he has long craved at this level.
Should Love start alongside Hurricanes teammates Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett, one of McKenzie and Beauden Barrett are likely to miss selection, provided Jordan has fully recovered from his calf issue as it appeared at training this week.
Injuries could factor into selection with standout Chiefs midfielder and Super Rugby player of the year Quinn Tupaea thought to be battered after a big season but if he is fit, he is expected to line up outside Jordie Barrett.
With 108-test veteran Savea assuming the captaincy, with support from fellow centurion Codie Taylor and Jordie Barrett, there’s ample experience to complement a trio of rookie inclusions.
After two years of stagnation and conservative selection, the All Blacks evolution must start now.
Likely All Blacks team:
Will Jordan, Fehi Fineanganofo, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea (c), Anton Segner, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.